His Sweet Obsession ~ Rafe Cameron

Chapter 8

I gasped in shock as I was forcefully dragged behind a car. I knew it was Rafe instantly, his familiar cologne lingered in the night air as he pulled me tight to his chest. This can't be happening. Panic surged through my veins as I fought desperately to escape Rafe's grip. Every muscle in my body tensed as I thrashed against him, my muffled screams intensifying with every desperate cry for help, hoping that Sarah, or anyone, would hear from across the beach. But no one did.

"Maria it's just me, calm down" Rafe whispered in my ear, but it was almost impossible to hear over the sound of my frantic struggles. "Hey I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise". His grip loosened around my waist as he let me go. Stumbling back I gasped for air, my heart racing. "What the fuck Rafe?" my voice quivered with fear.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you" Rafe's lip twitched, a chilling semblance of a smile almost crossing his face as he noticed my genuine fear.

"Oh me scared? No I'm used to people jumping out and attacking me in dark car parks" I couldn't help but clutch my chest as if trying to hold my pounding heart in place. Rafe's dark gaze bore into mine, and for a fleeting moment, his eyes held an unsettling glint of satisfaction. He stepped closer. "Maria I-"

"Fucks sake Rafe" I interrupted still out of breath taking an instinctive step back. "Do you stalk all your girlfriends? This isn't normal".

His expression darkened further, and his penetrating gaze remained locked onto mine. A predatory aura hung around him, and I couldn't help but feel like the prey. "I wasn't stalking you".

"Really? So what were you doing then?" My pulse quickened as I stepped back again. Was he enjoying this? Seeing me afraid?

A sinister glint flickered in his eyes again. "I was looking out for you".

"Bullshit" I couldn't believe the words that came out his mouth. I was used to Rafe being mysterious, but this was on another level. My mind raced with questions. How the fuck did I not hear or see him in an almost completely abandoned car park. Has he done this before? And why is he so disturbingly good at it? The realisation sent icy shivers down my spine, as I trembled with a newfound fear. "I-I'm gonna go find Sarah, she's been waiting for me" I stuttered, inching away, my eyes darting around for a way to escape. I know Rafe is my boyfriend and he'd never hurt me, but there was something about him now, the ominous glint in his eyes, that wordlessly screamed at me to run away.

"I'll take you home" he reached out for my hand, yet I quickly pulled away.

"Wow what a gentleman" I purposefully let the sarcasm play out in my voice, masking the true fear I felt. "Unfortunately, I don't trust stalkers, so if you don't mind, I'm gonna have to decline your offer" I started to leave, but Rafe stepped in front of me, blocking the path to the beach.

His jaw tightened "I wasn't asking, Maria"

I scoffed in disbelief. Was he serious right now? Sarah was right, he really has changed. "Okay you can go fuck yourself. It's not up to you to decide what I do-"

"No but it is your dads" He cut me off "and he specifically asked me to take you home, so that's what I'm going to do"

"Wow of course it was my dad. I swear to God Rafe, when are you ever going to stop kissing his ass? It's getting pathetic now" I rolled my eyes at him, yet his expression remained stern and unwavering. "Don't make me put you over my shoulder and carry you to the car myself. As amusing as it would be for me, I doubt you would enjoy it very much".

My confusion deepened. Would he actually do that? "You know just because you have a dick doesn't mean you get to act like one" I glared at him. Not wanting to find out the consequences of that sassy comment and for disobeying his orders, I quickly bolted towards the stairs that led to the beach, not looking back for a single second. I darted between the cars in the dimly lit car park, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I couldn't even bare to look back to see if he was following. Panic surged through my veins, as I swerved around lampposts and leaped over potholes in the ground, my senses heightened to every shadow and flicker of movement. Desperately needing to catch my breath before I passed out, I dove behind the back of a black car, parked near the steps to the beach. My trembling fingers clutched the car's bumper as I tried to quiet the thunderous drumming of my heart. Fuck what have I done? Peeking around the side of the back wheel, my eyes scanned the deserted car park, desperately searching for any sign of Rafe. But all that remained in the distance, were the flickering lights of the broken lampposts. For a single agonizing moment, I dared to hope that I had eluded him, that I had actually managed to escape. Yet within seconds, my relief was shattered as a shadow suddenly fell over me. Before I could react, Rafe's hand clamped down on my shoulder. The cold air caught in my lungs as he swiftly spun me around, pinning me against the car door with a force that stole my breath. His tall frame towered over me; my back pressed against the cold metal of the doorframe, and my hands held captive in his strong grip.